After making tactical admission Steve Bruce should regret not placing more trust in Jack Colback

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Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce wasn’t a particularly popular choice when he was selected as the club’s new manager.

Tasked with replacing the extremely likeable Rafa Benitez, things were always going to prove tricky for the lifelong Newcastle fan.

A win away at Tottenham early in the season had threatened to give Bruce some reprieve. That memorable victory was four league games ago and it remains the club’s only win this season, however.

After a miserable goalless draw with Brighton at the weekend, the boss has hinted at change. One tactical switch that has been touted is moving central defender Fabian Schar into a holding midfield role (Daily Star).

That does seem like a comical suggestion when you consider Schar is arguably Newcastle’s best centre-back.

One man who might have made a difference in Bruce’s quest to add solidity to his midfield ranks is outcast Jack Colback.

The 29-year-old took part in the majority of Newcastle’s pre-season games before perhaps harshly been told by Bruce that he wouldn’t be included in his 25-man squad for the Premier League campaign.

Slim pickings

Jonjo Shelvey is struggling for form, whilst Sean Longstaff is currently nursing an ankle injury. Therefore, Isaac Hayden is the only senior midfielder currently a natural selection for the Newcastle boss.

Shoehorning Schar into an unfamiliar position seems like a foolish idea and it would have been a better bet to include Colback in the 25-man squad as backup.

The ex-Sunderland player arrived back at St James’ Park in the summer having spent 18 months on loan with Nottingham Forest.

On £35,000-a-week (Spotrac) the Reds opted not to sign him permanently and he had hoped to get another chance at Newcastle.

Originally it wasn’t overly surprising to see Colback left out of Bruce’s squad. Six games into the new season, however, and Bruce is citing a lack of solidity in midfield.

Schar will be a square peg in a round hole. Colback might have been perfect for Bruce and now he might be left ruing his decision not to include him in his Premier League squad.